Dozens Arrested in Jerusalem Anti-IDF Demonstrations

Dozens of demonstrators protesting the draft were arrested Sunday in Jerusalem for blocking traffic at major intersections in the capital and shutting down the Light Rail.

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The “Yerushalmi Faction” led by Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach called on thousands of protesters from Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, Modi’in Illit, Shilat Junction and other cities to swarm into the streets to fight the military draft.

On Saturday night, Auerbach exhorted supporters to “continue protesting” and to “go out into the streets of the city, as the draft decree violates all the principles of Judaism.”

The Yerushalmi Faction pledged Sunday to renew its demonstrations after 12 draft dodgers were arrested earlier in the day for refusing to report to the draft board office in response to a notice.

At least 35 demonstrators were arrested during the protests, with Israel Police saying “extremists from the haredi community are blocking roads near the Central Bus Station and causing disturbances to the Light Rail in Jerusalem…. Police units have been mobilized in the area to respond.”

The Yerushalmi Faction opposes any cooperation whatsoever with the IDF, even to obtain needed deferrals from the draft for the many eligible yeshiva students who qualify in Israel.

Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.